HIV-exposed Uninfected Infants Research Articles

Dietary intake and growth of HIV exposed and unexposed 6-12 months old infants in South Africa.

Factors affecting the growth of HIV-exposed-uninfected (HEU) children are multi-factorial, with limited information available on the dietary intake from 6 months. This study compared the dietary intake, micronutrient composition of breastmilk, and growth of HEU and HIV-unexposed-uninfected (HUU) infants aged 6 and 12 months in an urban setting. A repeated cross-sectional study used structured questionnaires to collect socio-demographic, dietary intake, food group data, and anthropometric measurements in the Siyakhula study. The HEU (48%) and HUU (52%) infants were included (total n = 181). At 6 months, HEU infants had lower weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ) (-0.6 ± 1.1 vs. 0.1 ± 1.2; p < 0.001), length-for-age z-scores (-0.8 ± 1.4 vs. -0.1 ± 1.2; p < 0.001), and mid-upper-arm circumference-for-age z-scores (MUACAZ) (0.5 ± 1.1 vs. 1.0 ± 0.9; p < 0.001) than HUU infants. At 12 months, HEU infants had lower WAZ, MUACAZ, and weight-for-length z-scores compared to HUU infants (p < 0.05). Stunting was found at 6 (15%) and 12 (12%) months in HEU infants. The micronutrient composition of breastmilk fed to both groups was similar. Breastfeeding rates were lower in HEU than in HUU infants at 6 (49% vs. 64%; p = 0.005) and 12 (24% vs. 46%; p = 0.002) months. Less than 3% of HEU and HUU infants achieved minimal dietary diversity scores at 12 months. Dietary intake of fat was similar in all breastfed infants, but iron and vitamin B12 were higher in non-breastfed HEU infants at 12 months. HEU infants had lower breastfeeding rates than HUU infants. A lack of dietary diversity was found in all infants. Nutrition education and counselling in the complementary feeding phase are essential for optimal growth.

A-310 Neurodevelopmental disorders and hyperlipidemia in HIV-exposed uninfected children in the Bronx, New York

Abstract Background The implementation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for treating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has significantly reduced the rates of vertical HIV transmission. With increasing cART coverage, the number of HIV-positive infants has declined, while the number of HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants has risen. This group now comprises a rapidly expanding cohort of HIV-affected individuals, currently totaling 16 million and increasing by 1.6 million annually. However, our understanding of the potential in-utero toxicity of cART remains limited. Numerous studies, primarily from Africa, suggest that HEU children may face heightened risks of adverse health outcomes, including growth restriction, increased susceptibility to infections, and neurobehavioral disorders. It is widely recognized that infants with growth restriction are at a greater risk of developing chronic diseases such as cardiometabolic and neurological disorders later in life, which is accentuated by low socioeconomic status. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders and hyperlipidemia in HIV-negative children born to HIV-infected mothers in the Bronx, New York, utilizing retrospective medical records information. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of HEU and age-matched control (HIV-unexposed and uninfected; HUU) children (age 0-15 years) using clinical data obtained from the electronic medical record (EMR) at the Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York, between 2015 and 2023. Demographic data and documented diagnostic data were collected. Lipid panel results were also obtained from the EMR and stratified by age and testing date. Neurodevelopmental outcome measures were compared between HEU and HUU children using Chi-square and Student’s t-test was used for continuous variables. Results A total of 127 HEU (46% females, 54% males) children and 157 HUU (46% females, 54% males) children were analyzed. Among the HEU children, 12 (9.5%) were diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), while only 1 out of 157 (0.6%) HUU children had this diagnosis (p=0.0004). Similarly, a significant number of HEU children were found to have autism spectrum disorder, with 11 (8.7%) affected compared to 2 (1.3%) in the control group (p=0.0036). HEU children also exhibited a higher prevalence of unspecified developmental delay compared to HUU children (14.2% vs 5.1%; p=0.012). However, no significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding speech and language delay or learning difficulties. Abnormal cholesterol levels were detected in 33% of HEU children, while 54.5% had abnormal triglyceride levels. These percentages surpass the prevalence of pediatric hypercholesterolemia (7%) and hypertriglyceridemia (10.2%) in the United States. Conclusions Our findings indicate that HEU children born in areas designated as medically underserved and socioeconomically disadvantaged, such as the Bronx in the United States, face significant risks of neurodevelopmental disorders and hyperlipidemia. Considering the increasing population of HEU children, even minor rises in adverse health effects could lead to significant public health challenges. To support HEU children in achieving their utmost potential, further studies must be encouraged to understand these children's needs. Moreover, it is imperative to enact policies that facilitate equitable distribution of resources, ensuring timely screening and intervention in underprivileged communities.

An optimized strategy triggered at the 2nd immunization visit to prevent HIV acquisition by breastfeeding: a phase 2 trial in Burkina Faso (PREVENIR-PEV)

BackgroundMother-to-child transmission of HIV during breastfeeding remains a challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). A prevention package was initiated during the highly attended 2nd visit of the Expanded Program of Immunisation (EPI-2) to identify the undiagnosed infants living with HIV and reduce the postnatal transmission of infant exposed to HIV.MethodsPREVENIR-PEV is a non-randomized phase II clinical trial conducted at two health centres in Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina Faso). The study recruited mothers living with HIV aged 15 years and older with their singleton breastfed infants. During EPI-2 (at 8 weeks) and upon signature of the informed consent, a point-of-care early infant diagnosis (EID) was performed. HIV exposed uninfected (HEU) infants were followed-up until 12 months of age. High risk HEU infants (i.e., whose maternal viral load ≥ 1000 cp/mL at EPI-2 or M6) received an extended postnatal prophylaxis (PNP) with lamivudine until end of follow-up or the end of breastfeeding.ResultsBetween 4 December 2019 and 4 December 2020, 118 mothers living with HIV-1 were identified, and 102 eligible mother/infant pairs had their infants tested for HIV EID. Six infants were newly diagnosed with HIV, and 96 HEU infants were followed-up for 10 months. Among the participants followed-up, all mothers were prescribed antiretrovirals. All 18 infants eligible for PNP at either EPI-2 or 6 months (M6) were initiated on lamivudine. No HIV transmission occurred, and no serious adverse events were reported in infants receiving lamivudine.ConclusionsThe PREVENIR-PEV prevention package integrated into existing care is safe and its implementation is feasible in a LMIC with a low HIV prevalence. More research is needed to target mother/infant pairs not adhering to the intervention proposed in this trial.Trial registrationNCT03869944; first registered on 11/03/2019.

Reduced B cell frequencies in cord blood of HIV-exposed uninfected infants: an immunological and transcriptomic analysis.

In the course of immune development, HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants exhibit abnormal immune function and increased infectious morbidity compared to HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) infants. Yet the specific functional phenotypes and regulatory mechanisms associated with in-utero HIV and/or ART exposure remain largely obscure. We utilized flow cytometry and RNA-seq technologies to conduct the immunological and transcriptomic profiling in cord blood from 9 HEU mother-infant pairs and 24 HUU pairs. On top of that, we compared the cord blood dataset with the maternal venous blood dataset to characterize unique effects induced by in-utero HIV and/or ART exposure. Flow cytometry immunophenotyping revealed that the level of B lymphocyte subsets was significantly decreased in HEU cord blood as compared to HUU (P < 0.001). Expression profiling-based cell abundance assessment, includes CIBERSORT and ssGSEA algorithm, showed a significantly reduced abundance of naive B cells in HEU cord blood (both P < 0.05), supporting the altered composition of B lymphocyte subsets in HEU. Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated suppressed innate immune responses and impaired immune regulatory function of B cells in HEU cord blood. Furthermore, through differential expression analysis, co-expression network analysis using WGCNA, and feature selection analysis using LASSO, we identified a 4-gene signature associated with HEU status. This signature effectively assesses B cell levels in cord blood, enabling discrimination between HEU and HUU infants. Our study provides the first comprehensive immunological and transcriptomic characterization of HEU cord blood. Additionally, we establish a 4-gene-based classifier that holds potential for predict immunological abnormalities in HEU infants.

HIV-related immune activation attenuates polyfunctional IgG and memory B-cell responses to Tdap immunization during pregnancy

Maternal pertussis vaccination with Tdap vaccine is recommended to protect newborns from severe postnatal infection. HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants have a higher incidence of pertussis infection and may particularly benefit from maternal immunization. The impact of HIV infection on the quality of IgG and memory B cell (MBC) responses to Tdap vaccination in pregnant women (PW) living with HIV (PWH) is unknown. In this observational study, humoral immune responses to Tdap vaccination, including IgG levels, Fc-dependent effector functions, and MBC frequencies, were measured before and after vaccination in 40 PWH and 42 HIV-uninfected PW. Placental transfer of IgG and avidity were assessed in cord blood (CB). Soluble and cellular immune activation markers were quantified at baseline. One month after vaccination, PWH had lower frequencies of MBC compared with HIV-uninfected PW. At delivery, PWH had attenuated pertussis-specific IgG levels and Fc-dependent effector functions. Reduced levels of maternal vaccine polyfunctional IgG and IgG avidity were transferred to HEU as compared to HIV-unexposed newborns. After adjustment with ethnicity, maternal antibody levels and gestational age at vaccination, HIV infection was independently associated with decreased levels of PT specific-IgG in CB. Both maternal and neonatal pertussis-specific IgG responses as well as PT-specific IgG avidity were inversely correlated with maternal sCD14 levels before vaccination among PWH. Maternal HIV infection is associated with attenuated humoral immune responses to Tdap vaccination that correlate with sCD14. Suboptimal transfer of maternal immunity may further increase the risk of severe pertussis infection in HEU infants. This work was supported by IRIS Fund managed by the Foundation Roi Baudouin [2017J1820690206902], Association Vésale pour la Recherche Médicale and the Medical Council of CHU Saint-Pierre and has been funded in part with Federal funds from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, under Award No. U19AI145825. N.D. is a clinical researcher and A.M. is Research Director at the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (F.R.S.-FNRS), Belgium. M.E.A. was partially supported by NIHNIAID1U19AI14825. This article is published with the support of the Fondation Universitaire of Belgium.

Premature skewing of T cell receptor clonality and delayed memory expansion in HIV-exposed infants

While preventing vertical HIV transmission has been very successful, HIV-exposed uninfected infants (iHEU) experience an elevated risk to infections compared to HIV-unexposed and uninfected infants (iHUU). Here we present a longitudinal multimodal analysis of infant immune ontogeny that highlights the impact of HIV/ARV exposure. Using mass cytometry, we show alterations in T cell memory differentiation between iHEU and iHUU being significant from week 15 of life. The altered memory T cell differentiation in iHEU was preceded by lower TCR Vβ clonotypic diversity and linked to TCR clonal depletion within the naïve T cell compartment. Compared to iHUU, iHEU had elevated CD56loCD16loPerforin+CD38+CD45RA+FcεRIγ+ NK cells at 1 month postpartum and whose abundance pre-vaccination were predictive of vaccine-induced pertussis and rotavirus antibody responses post 3 months of life. Collectively, HIV/ARV exposure disrupted the trajectory of innate and adaptive immunity from birth which may underlie relative vulnerability to infections in iHEU.

Impact of Maternal Viral Suppression on Growth Patterns for HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants in Kenya.

Children born to mothers living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at risk for poor health outcomes but data characterizing these associations are limited. Our objective was to determine the impact of maternal viral suppression on growth patterns and malnutrition for infants who are HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU). We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of clinical data for infants who were HEU and their mothers (September 2015 - March 2019) in Kenya. Infants were stratified based on maternal viral suppression status (≥ or <1000 copies/mL); t-tests were used to compare groups. Growth indicators were evaluated with Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and area under the curve. Moderate-to-severe underweight status, stunting, and wasting were defined by weight-for-age (WFA), height-for-age (HFA), and weight-for-height (WFH), z-scores ≤2, and were used to define malnutrition. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate potential associations with malnutrition indicators between WFH and HFA. Among 674 infants who were HEU, 48.7% were male and 85.0% had mothers who were virally suppressed. The median age at first and last clinic visits was 1.5 and 16.4 months, respectively. WFA and HFA z-scores over time differed by sex, and WFA and HFA differed based on maternal viral suppression (P < 0.05). Male infants had higher adjusted odds for stunted status, and as children aged, they had slightly increased odds of becoming underweight or stunted. Maternal viral suppression and timing of maternal antiretroviral therapy initiation in relation to the prevention of vertical transmission (PVT) enrollment did not significantly affect malnutrition indicators. Maternal viral suppression status was not associated with increased odds of more severe malnutrition indicators in children who were HEU. However, overall growth patterns over time, measured by z-scores of growth indicators, did differ based on maternal viral suppression status, and to a lesser degree, by gender.

Inflammation and cytomegalovirus viremia during pregnancy drive sex-differentiated differences in mortality and immune development in HIV-exposed infants.

Children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected have increased infectious mortality compared to HIV-unexposed children, raising the possibility of immune abnormalities following exposure to maternal viraemia, immune dysfunction, and co-infections during pregnancy. In a secondary analysis of the SHINE trial in rural Zimbabwe we explored biological pathways underlying infant mortality, and maternal factors shaping immune development in HIV-exposed uninfected infants. Maternal inflammation and cytomegalovirus viraemia were independently associated with infant deaths: mortality doubled for each log10 rise in maternal C-reactive protein (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.09; 95% CI 1.33-3.27), and increased 1.6-fold for each log10 rise in maternal cytomegalovirus viral load (aHR 1.62; 95% CI 1.11-2.36). In girls, mortality was more strongly associated with maternal C-reactive protein than cytomegalovirus; in boys, mortality was more strongly associated with cytomegalovirus than C-reactive protein. At age one month, HIV-exposed uninfected infants had a distinct immune milieu, characterised by raised soluble CD14 and an altered CD8 + T-cell compartment. Alterations in immunophenotype and systemic inflammation were generally greater in boys than girls. Collectively, these findings show how the pregnancy immune environment in women with HIV underlies mortality and immune development in their offspring in a sex-differentiated manner, and highlights potential new intervention strategies to transform outcomes of HIV-exposed children. ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01824940.

Distinct alterations in white matter properties and organization related to maternal treatment initiation in neonates exposed to HIV but uninfected

HIV exposed-uninfected (HEU) infants and children are at risk of developmental delays as compared to HIV uninfected unexposed (HUU) populations. The effects of exposure to in utero HIV and ART regimens on the HEU the developing brain are not well understood. In a cohort of 2-week-old newborns, we used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography and graph theory to examine the influence of HIV and ART exposure in utero on neonate white matter integrity and organisation. The cohort included HEU infants born to mothers who started ART before conception (HEUpre) and after conception (HEUpost), as well as HUU infants from the same community. We investigated HIV exposure and ART duration group differences in DTI metrics (fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD)) and graph measures across white matter. We found increased MD in white matter connections involving the thalamus and limbic system in the HEUpre group compared to HUU. We further identified reduced nodal efficiency in the basal ganglia. Within the HEUpost group, we observed reduced FA in cortical-subcortical and cerebellar connections as well as decreased transitivity in the hindbrain area compared to HUU. Overall, our analysis demonstrated distinct alterations in white matter integrity related to the timing of maternal ART initiation that influence regional brain network properties.

Metabolic Alterations in Mothers Living with HIV and Their HIV-Exposed, Uninfected Infants.

HIV-exposed, uninfected (HEU) children present with suboptimal growth and a greater susceptibility to infection in early life when compared to HIV-unexposed, uninfected (HUU) children. The reasons for these findings are poorly understood. We used a metabolomics approach to investigate the metabolic differences between pregnant women living with HIV (PWLWH) and their HEU infants compared to the uninfected and unexposed controls. Untargeted metabolomic profiling was performed using 1H-NMR spectroscopy on maternal plasma at 28 weeks' gestation and infant plasma at birth, 6/10 weeks, and 6 months. PWLWH were older but, apart from a larger 28 week mid-upper-arm circumference, anthropometrically similar to the controls. At all the time points, HEU infants had a significantly reduced growth compared to HUU infants. PWLWH had lower plasma 3-hydroxybutyric acid, acetoacetic acid, and acetic acid levels. In infants at birth, threonine and myo-inositol levels were lower in the HEU group while formic acid levels were higher. At 6/10 weeks, betaine and tyrosine levels were lower in the HEU group. Finally, at six months, 3-hydroxyisobutyric acid levels were lower while glycine levels were higher in the HEU infants. The NMR analysis has provided preliminary information indicating differences between HEU and HUU infants' plasma metabolites involved in energy utilization, growth, and protection from infection.

Disturbances in the IgG Antibody Profile in HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants Associated with Maternal Factors.

Over the last 20 years, the incidence of vertical HIV transmission has decreased from 25%-42% to less than 1%. Although there are no signs of infection, the health of HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants is notoriously affected during the first months of life, with opportunistic infections being the most common disease. Some studies have reported effects on the vertical transfer of antibodies, but little is known about the subclass distribution of these antibodies. We proposed to evaluate the total IgG concentration and its subclasses in HIV+ mothers and HEU pairs and to determine which maternal factors condition their levels. In this study, plasma from 69 HEU newborns, their mothers, and 71 control pairs was quantified via immunoassays for each IgG isotype. Furthermore, we followed the antibody profile of HEUs throughout the first year of life. We showed that mothers present an antibody profile characterized by high concentrations of IgG1 and IgG3 but reduced IgG2, and HEU infants are born with an IgG subclass profile similar to that of their maternal pair. Interestingly, this passively transferred profile could remain influenced even during their own antibody production in HEU infants, depending on maternal conditions such as CD4+ T-cell counts and maternal antiretroviral treatment. Our findings indicate that HEU infants exhibit an altered IgG subclass profile influenced by maternal factors, potentially contributing to their increased susceptibility to infections.

Risk and rates of hospitalisation in young children: A prospective study of a South African birth cohort.

Children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are disproportionately affected by morbidity and mortality. There is also a growing vulnerable population of children who are HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU). Understanding reasons and risk factors for early-life child hospitalisation will help optimise interventions to improve health outcomes. We investigated hospitalisations from birth to two years in a South African birth cohort study. Mother-child pairs in the Drakenstein Child Health Study were followed from birth to two years with active surveillance for hospital admission and investigation of aetiology and outcome. Incidence, duration, cause, and factors associated with child hospitalisation were investigated, and compared between HEU and HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) children. Of 1136 children (247 HEU; 889 HUU), 314 (28%) children were hospitalised in 430 episodes despite >98% childhood vaccination coverage. The highest hospitalisation rate was from 0-6 months, decreasing thereafter; 20% (84/430) of hospitalisations occurred in neonates at birth. Amongst hospitalisations subsequent to discharge after birth, 83% (288/346) had an infectious cause; lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) was the most common cause (49%;169/346) with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) responsible for 31% of LRTIs; from 0-6 months, RSV-LRTI accounted for 22% (36/164) of all-cause hospitalisations. HIV exposure was associated with increased incidence rates of hospitalisation in infants (IRR 1.63 [95% CI 1.29-2.05]) and longer hospital admission (p = 0.004). Prematurity (HR 2.82 [95% CI 2.28-3.49]), delayed infant vaccinations (HR 1.43 [95% CI 1.12-1.82]), or raised maternal HIV viral load in HEU infants were risk factors for hospitalisation; breastfeeding was protective (HR 0.69 [95% CI 0.53-0.90]). In conclusion, children in SSA experience high rates of hospitalisation in early life. Infectious causes, especially RSV-LRTI, underly most hospital admissions. HEU children are at greater risk of hospitalisation in infancy compared to HUU children. Available strategies such as promoting breastfeeding, timely vaccination, and optimising antenatal maternal HIV care should be strengthened. New interventions to prevent RSV may have additional impact in reducing hospitalisation.

Maternal immunity shapes biomarkers of germinal center development in HIV-exposed uninfected infants.

HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants exhibit elevated pro-inflammatory biomarkers that persist after birth. However, comprehensive assessments of bioprofiles associated with immune regulation and development in pregnant women with HIV (PWH) and HEU infants has not been performed. Maternal immunity in PWH may be imprinted on their HEU newborns, altering immune bioprofiles during early immune development. Cryopreserved paired plasma samples from 46 HEU infants and their mothers enrolled in PACTG 316, a clinical trial to prevent perinatal HIV-1 transmission were analyzed. PWH received antiretrovirals (ARV) and had either fully suppressed or unsuppressed viral replication. Maternal blood samples obtained during labor and infant samples at birth and 6 months were measured for 21 biomarkers associated with germinal centers (GC), macrophage activation, T-cell activation, interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-inducible chemokines, and immune regulatory cytokines using Mesoscale assays. Pregnant women without HIV (PWOH) and their HIV unexposed uninfected (HUU) newborns and non-pregnant women without HIV (NPWOH) served as reference groups. Linear regression analysis fitted for comparison among groups and adjusted for covariant(s) along with principal component analysis performed to assess differences among groups. Compared with NPWOH, PWOH displayed higher levels of GC, macrophage, and regulatory biomarkers. PWH compared to PWOH displayed elevated GC, T cell activation, and IFN-γ-inducible chemokines biomarkers at delivery. Similar to their mothers, HEU infants had elevated GC, macrophage, and IFN-γ-inducible chemokines, as well as elevated anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-10 and IL-1RA. Across all mother/newborn dyads, multiple biomarkers positively correlated, providing further evidence that maternal inflammation imprints on newborn bioprofiles. By 6 months, many HEU biomarkers normalized to levels similar to HUU infants, but some GC and inflammatory biomarkers remained perturbed. Bioprofiles in PWH and HEU infants were similar regardless of the extent of maternal viral suppression by ARV. GC immune pathways are perturbed in HEU newborns, but immune regulatory responses down regulate inflammation during early infancy, indicating a transient inflammatory effect. However, several GC biomarkers that may alter immune development remain perturbed.

Isoniazid preventive therapy during infancy does not adversely affect growth among HIV-exposed uninfected children: Secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial.

Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) decreases risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease; impact on long-term infant growth is unknown. In a recent randomized trial (RCT), we assessed IPT effects on infant growth without known TB exposure. The infant TB Infection Prevention Study (iTIPS) trial was a non-blinded RCT among HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants in Kenya. Inclusion criteria included age 6-10 weeks, birthweight ≥2.5 kg, and gestation ≥37 weeks. Infants in the IPT arm received 10 mg/kg isoniazid daily for 12 months, while the control trial received no intervention; post-trial observational follow-up continued through 24 months of age. We used intent-to-treat linear mixed-effects models to compare growth rates (weight-for-age z-score [WAZ] and height-for-age z-score [HAZ]) between trial arms. Among 298 infants, 150 were randomized to IPT, 47.6% were females, median birthweight was 3.4 kg (interquartile range [IQR] 3.0-3.7), and 98.3% were breastfed. During the 12-month intervention period and 12-month post-RCT follow-up, WAZ and HAZ declined significantly in all children, with more HAZ decline in male infants. There were no growth differences between trial arms, including in sex-stratified analyses. In longitudinal linear analysis, mean WAZ (β = 0.04 [95% CI:-0.14, 0.22]), HAZ (β = 0.14 [95% CI:-0.06, 0.34]), and WHZ [β = -0.07 [95% CI:-0.26, 0.11]) z-scores were similar between arms as were WAZ and HAZ growth trajectories. Infants randomized to IPT had higher monthly WHZ increase (β to 24 months 0.02 [95% CI:0.01, 0.04]) than the no-IPT arm. IPT administered to HEU infants did not significantly impact growth outcomes in the first two years of life.

Morbidity and Mortality of HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants in a Tertiary Referral Facility in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Following the recorded progress in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the proportion of HIV-exposed infants who are uninfected (UIH) is increasing. These children are subject to infectious and non-infectious fragility. The purpose of this study was to assess infectious morbidity and mortality rates among UIH in Yaoundé, Cameroon. We conducted a retrospective cohort study. Infants were included in the study and defined as the study subjects if they were between the ages of 24 months or younger, if they were born to HIV-positive mothers, and if they were confirmed to be HIV-negative. The main study outcomes were morbidity rate (defined as infectious, clinical events that required consultation or hospitalization) and death. Data were entered and saved in the Census and Survey Processing System (Cspro) 7.3. Statistical analyses were performed in R Software 3.6.2. The significance level was set at 0.05. In total, 240 subjects were recruited of whom 53.3% were males. Most of the HIV-positive mothers (95.7%) had used combination antiretroviral (ARV) therapy for at least four weeks during pregnancy. Among the subjects, 93.2% received ARV prophylaxis, 68.7% were exclusively breastfed for six months, 94.7% were fully vaccinated, and 60.6% had received cotrimoxazole up to the detection of the non-infection. Overall, the morbidity rate stood at 34.2%. The incidence of morbidity was 3 per 1,000 child months of the follow-up. The main pathologies were acute respiratory infections (60.79%) and malaria (17.65%). Three deaths were recorded, representing an overall mortality rate of 1.25% for an incidence of 1.1 per 1,000 child months of the follow-up (FU). Clinical events were more frequent in mothers diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy under the azidothymidine (AZT) + lamivudine (3TC) + névirapine (NVP) -based protocol (odds ratio of 3.83 [1.09-14.45; p = 0.039]). Morbidity was also higher for the follow-up periods of less than six months. The overall mortality rate among UIH was low. However, the morbidity rate was considerably higher. Emphasis should be focused on in-care retention for up to 24 months for all UIH, which should include monitoring of HIV-infected mothers prior to pregnancy.

Mitochondrial DNA mutations in HIV-exposed uninfected infants following the cessation of triple antiretroviral drugs.

Mitochondrial mutations in HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants after cessation of ART are rarely studied. We analysed a group of HEU newborns born to mothers with late HIV diagnosis who received three doses of ART immediately after birth. We observed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations at different times of withdrawal. The study was based on a clinical trial conducted from 2015 to 2020. Newborns of the intervention group who met the criteria for this study received triple antiretroviral drugs, zidovudine + lamivudine + nevirapine, within 2 h after the birth, as post-partum prophylaxis, and at 14 days were switched to zidovudine + lamivudine + lopinavir/ritonavir, which was continued until 6 weeks of age. From August to November 2019, blood samples from HEU infants were also collected after ceasing 12 months of ART, and analysed for mtDNA. Our study found that mtDNA mutations remained prevalent in HEU infants a few years after three ARTs were stopped immediately after birth. Among them, D-loop, ND1 and CYTB are the first three mutated regions during different withdrawal periods. This pattern of mutations is similar to, but not exactly consistent with, HIV-infected children receiving standard ART. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of these mutations on the development of HEU infants and whether stopping ART leads to the restoration of mitochondrial function.

Rates of Seroprotection against Vaccine-Preventable Infectious Diseases in HIV-Exposed and -Unexposed Malawian Infants.

The evaluation of seroprotection rates against vaccine-preventable infectious diseases allows for the identification of risk populations. HIV-exposed infants, even if not infected with HIV, have higher morbidity and mortality in comparison to unexposed counterparts. The aim of this study was to compare the specific IgG levels against Haemophilus influenzae type-B (HiB), Hepatitis-B (HBV), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) in two groups of infants (HIV-exposed and HIV-unexposed) living in Malawi. Blood samples from 62 infants, 49 HIV-exposed, uninfected (HEU), and born to women living with HIV and 13 HIV-unexposed and uninfected (HUU), were collected at 6 months, and specific IgG levels were determined using ELISA tests. The antibody levels against HiB, HBV, and Spn were similar in the two groups. At six months, all HUU infants and 81.6% of HEU infants showed seroprotective levels against HiB, while a percentage of protection varying from 80.6 to 84.6% was observed for HBV and Spn regardless of HIV exposure. Only 59.2% of HEU and 69.2% of HUU infants showed antibody protection against all three pathogens. These results indicate similar rates of seroprotection among HEU and HUU infants but also suggest that a consistent fraction of infants received incomplete vaccinations. Strategies to enforce participation in immunization programs in Malawi should be a health priority.

Maternal HIV infection drives altered placental Mtb-specific antibody transfer.

Placental transfer of maternal antibodies is essential for neonatal immunity over the first months of life. In the setting of maternal HIV infection, HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants are at higher risk of developing severe infections, including active tuberculosis (TB). Given our emerging appreciation for the potential role of antibodies in the control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacteria that causes TB, here we aimed to determine whether maternal HIV status altered the quality of Mtb-specific placental antibody transfer. Antigen-specific antibody systems serology was performed to comprehensively characterize the Mtb-specific humoral immune response in maternal and umbilical cord blood from HIV infected and uninfected pregnant people in Uganda. Significant differences were noted in overall antibody profiles in HIV positive and negative maternal plasma, resulting in heterogeneous transfer of Mtb-specific antibodies. Altered antibody transfer in HIV infected dyads was associated with impaired binding to IgG Fc-receptors, which was directly linked to HIV viral loads and CD4 counts. These results highlight the importance of maternal HIV status on antibody transfer, providing clues related to alterations in transferred maternal immunity that may render HEU infants more vulnerable to TB than their HIV-unexposed peers.

Comparison of Feeding Practices and Growth of Urbanized African Infants Aged 6–12 Months Old by Maternal HIV Status in Gauteng Province, South Africa

Appropriate feeding practices are protective against malnutrition and poor growth. We compared feeding practices and growth in HIV-exposed-uninfected (HEU) and HIV-unexposed-uninfected (HUU) between 6-12 months of age in urbanized African infants in South Africa. A repeated cross-sectional analysis was used to determine differences in infant feeding practices and anthropometric measures by HIV exposure status at 6, 9, and 12 months in the Siyakhula study. The study included 181 infants (86 HEU; 95 HUU). Breastfeeding rates were lower in HEU vs. HUU infants at 9 (35.6% vs. 57.3%; p = 0.013) and 12 months (24.7% vs. 48.0%; p = 0.005). Introduction to early complementary foods was common (HEU = 16.2 ± 11.0 vs. HUU = 12.8 ± 9.3 weeks; p = 0.118). Lower weight-for-age Z-scores (WAZ) and head circumference-for-age Z-scores (HCZ) were found in HEU infants at birth. At 6 months, WAZ, length-for-age Z-scores (LAZ), HCZ, and mid-upper-arm circumference-for-age Z-scores (MUACAZ) were lower in HEU vs. HUU infants. At 9 months, lower WAZ, LAZ, and MUACAZ were found in HEU vs. HUU infants. At 12 months, lower WAZ, MUACAZ, and weight-for-length Z-scores (-0.2 ± 1.2 vs. 0.2 ± 1.2; p = 0.020) were observed. HEU infants had lower rates of breastfeeding and poorer growth compared to HUU infants. Maternal HIV exposure affects the feeding practices and growth of infants.

Assessing environmental enteric dysfunction via multiplex assay and its relation to growth and development among HIV-exposed uninfected Tanzanian infants.

Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) may contribute to poor growth and development in young children. While validated EED biomarkers are currently lacking, multiplex assays are able to capture multiple domains of the condition. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the relationship between biomarkers of EED and subsequent growth and development among Tanzanian HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants. We enrolled 467 infants of mothers living with HIV who had participated in a trial of vitamin D3 supplementation during pregnancy. Infant serum samples collected at 6 weeks (n = 365) and 6 months (n = 266) were analyzed for anti-flagellin and anti-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) IgA and IgG via ELISA as well as the 11-plex Micronutrient and EED Assessment Tool (MEEDAT), which incorporates two biomarkers of EED [intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) and soluble CD14 (sCD14)]. Outcomes were 12-month growth [length-for-age z-score (LAZ), weight-for-length z-score (WLZ), and weight-for-age z-score (WAZ)] and development [Caregiver Reported Early Development Instruments (CREDI) z-scores] and were assessed using linear regression. In primary analyses, higher quartiles of 6-month anti-LPS IgG concentrations were significantly associated with lower LAZ at 12 months (ptrend = 0.040). In secondary analyses, higher log2-transformed 6-week anti-flagellin IgA and 6-month anti-LPS IgA concentrations were significantly associated with lower LAZ at 12 months. No associations were observed between I-FABP or sCD14 and infant growth. However, higher log2-transformed 6-week sCD14 concentrations were significantly associated with lower overall CREDI z-scores, while higher log2-transformed 6-month I-FABP concentrations were significantly associated with higher overall CREDI z-scores. Unlike anti-flagellin and anti-LPS Igs, MEEDAT's biomarkers of EED (I-FABP and sCD14) were not associated with subsequent linear growth among HEU infants in Tanzania. The relationship between EED and infant development warrants further study.